13/03/2026
In the hot, sweaty mess of this week 🥵 our launch of ’s THE WOMAN AND HER STARS was a cool oasis💧🌴🍸
After being refreshed with drinks & snacks from generous sponsors and , Penny guided us back into late 1700s England, an era of eye-opening scientific discoveries and jaw-dropping domestic customs (turnspit dogs?! 🤯).
We reflected on the extraordinary life of first salaried female astronomer, Caroline Herschel: blighted by early illness, slighted by maternal cruelty, saved by a big-hearted & talent-spotting brother, but trapped by gratitude and fear into shadow-like submissiveness and a selfless devotion to duty.
Yet, in spite of all these obstacles, Caroline became an astronomical authority, forging a remarkable career that would span almost five decades and impacting the study of astronomy as far afield as Cape Town.
The depths of Penny’s research, acuity in understanding character and novelistic genius for finding the gem of a story and paring & polishing it until it shines brightly are remarkable. Penny, thank you so much for writing this book so brilliantly! Thank you for publishing it! And thank you for distributing it locally and letting Liberty host its maiden launch!
And thank you to all who attended the launch & support Liberty so liberally! I could not do these events without your loyalty & love!
Especial thanks to those who - despite the heat - dressed up with imagination & flair. And blue wigs off to Karola Schultze who scooped up the best-dressed prize, a heavenly hamper created & couriered down from Durban by Penny’s friend .c.stark, who also took many of these fabulous photos: thank you Karen!
For the other fantastic photos, and for her cool, calm & capable assistance throughout the event, massive thanks to .rijke!
